A DEVELOPER has unveiled plans for iconic Breckenridge House - and hopes to turn retail units into food and drink premises. 

The building on Sauchiehall Street currently houses Route One, British Heart Foundation, and Amplifon. 

Now Bywater Properties has aked Glasgow City Council for permission to change the use of units from Class 1 (Retail) to Class 3 (Food and Drink) in the Category B listed building. 

A statement said: "Planning permission is being sought for the change of use of the ground floor units (units eight to 11) on the eastern side of Breckenridge House (254 to 266 Sauchiehall Street) from Class 1 (Retail) to Class 3 (Food and Drink). In addition, the applicant proposes to amalgamate units 10 and 11 to form a larger unit and also provide outdoor seating areas on the Sauchiehall Street and Rose Street elevations."

The developer added: "Demand from retail occupiers for the retail units at the ground floor of Breckenridge House, and in this part of Sauchiehall Street, is low.

"The proposed change of use to Class 3 will increase the types of operator which can occupy the units, and improve their marketability.

"Ensuring that the units are marketable to a wider range of occupiers will reduce the risk of the units falling out of active use on expiry of the existing leases."

If the plans are approved, any of the food and drink premises occupying the units would operate 8am to midnight, Monday to Sunday.  

A decision on the plans is expected by September 20 and the last date for comments is August 23.

READ MORE: Ambitious plans revealed to transform iconic building on Sauchiehall Street

We previously revealed that the building, which is part of McLellan Works was to be transformed into a prime SME and co-working space by Bywater Properties. 

Last year, the developer said the space would house retail, food and café operators, and is proposed to open in Autumn 2019.